Top Things to do in Bay of Islands
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Bay of Islands, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand including Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Paihia Harbour, The Parrot Place, Rainbow Falls, Aroha Island Ecological Centre, Cape Brett Walkway, Te Waiariki Ngawha Springs, Paroa Bay Winery- Villa Accommodation., Akeake Historic Reserve Track.
Restaurants in Bay of Islands
1. Waitangi Mountain Bike Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
A family-friendly mountain bike park located in Waitangi. Currently up to 50km of professionally built trails with many more planned for development. Trail grades range from Grade 2 (Beginners) to Grade 5 (Advanced) so something for all. Riders are encouraged to Register to Ride for either $10 a day, $40 (adults annual donation), $25 (kids annual donation). This registration donation goes straight back into trail building and track maintenance to keep the tracks awesome for you all. Many businesses in the Bay of Islands have volunteered incentives to encourage bike riders to donate in this way. Onsite, Paihia Mountain Bikes run the hire out high-quality Mountain Bikes (kids bikes, front suspension, full suspension and E-bikes) that are perfect for exploring the tracks, along with Uplift Shuttles within the park (shuttles run weekends and school holidays). There is also the Waitangi MTB Café that runs during the weekends serving smoothies, snacks and coffees.
Reviewed By tmrnz
Super helpful and relaxed staff. Amazing value. Extensive, enjoyable well maintained tracks for kids and novices. Beautiful location. Loved the coffee at the cafe, super friendly, and sure will see wider range and some healthy options on offer as this amazing community built park grows in popularity. Highly recommend. We’ll be back.
2. Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,127 reviews
Waitangi Treaty Grounds welcomes you on a journey of the place where much of New Zealand’s history was shaped. An absolute must-do for all visitors to New Zealand, the award-winning Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a national treasure and tells our nation’s history of two peoples coming together under the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Enjoy an interactive full day experience in the two contemporary museums, powerful Māori cultural performances in the carved Māori Meeting House, insightful guided tours, lush native forest and gardens, art gallery and carving studio, traditional Māori waka (canoe), café and so much more, all with stunning views over the Bay of Islands. Hāngi and concert evenings are scheduled during the summer months – an intimate cultural experience not to be missed. The award-winning Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must-do for all visitors to the Bay of Islands.
Reviewed By caitylouhall99
I really enjoyed my visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds last weekend, as it gave me so much new insight not only into local Māori culture and history, but also the importance of modern New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, and its ongoing significance today. I chose to do a “full package” at the Treaty Grounds, with a Day Pass to explore the beautiful grounds during opening hours followed by a Hāngī and Cultural Show at dusk. I first went on a guided tour of the grounds, which was a great introduction not only to the space but the historical lead-up to the drafting and signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. It was good that our guide didn’t shy away from some of the tough political questions asked about the Treaty or the ongoing controversies connected to it. I then visited the museum, which was beautifully presented and very well laid out. This was followed by the hāngī which, while obviously modified for tourists, was still an enjoyable introduction to an important part of Māori culture. The cultural show in the traditional meeting house was very moving and professionally presented by talented performers - it was an excellent, entertaining addition to an already very informative day (and I was particularly fascinated to learn that traditional Māori culture had always had a strong focus, even in song and dance, on the “realm of gardening”!).
3. Paihia Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,218 reviews
Reviewed By johncherylh2016 - Hawera, New Zealand
Easy to walk around and take in all that happens around this little harbour. Rather busy, but still a relaxed place with lots of boats coming and going.Sometimes you can see the cruise ship's anchored of shore.
4. The Parrot Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Wander through our glorious subtropical gardens and enjoy the entertaining antics and colourful plumage of a huge variety of exotic parrots from around the world. Enjoy getting up close and personal with our pet birds in a natural environment and get your photo taken with them and Elmo the dancing Macaw. Let the kids burn off some energy in our play area whilst you sit back and relax with refreshments and ice creams from our kiosk "Sweet Tweets"
Reviewed By clenrays - Rotorua, New Zealand
Hi Guys, I watched this on 'Travel Guides NZ' the show peaked my curiosity, so we went along for a visit, My family and I had an AWESOME experience, I highly recommend this place to all people of all ages, the staff are very informative about all the birds, there are not enough words to say about this place, but we DEFINITELY WILL BE BACK next time where in Kerikeri
5. Rainbow Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 863 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By MurrayP550 - Porirua, New Zealand
Fantastic run or walk from the Stone Store to Rainbow falls through Totara and Kauri Forest beside the river.
6. Aroha Island Ecological Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By pbog2018 - New Zealand, null
My mother and I stayed here recently in Tui Cottage - highly reccomend!! Everything was wonderfully clean, it was quiet with beautiful native bush and a lovely spot for swimming. We heard kiwis from out cottage!! Thank you so much to all at Aroha Island for your work, aroha nui!!
7. Cape Brett Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By lrking - Auckland, New Zealand
Decided to do this as it seemed like a good walk for a weekend - discovered it isn't quite a walk in the park but what a good decision. We were a group of 13 that ranged from 27 to 66 and different levels of fitness but everyone got to the Hut - some quicker than others. It is challenging up and down terrain but well worth doing if you are keen on the outdoors - some magnificent scenery and feeling of total freedom. We were planning on staying at the hut so carried packs for the night so that made it tougher. In the end as the weather was closing in for the next day we called the water taxi to rather collect us the same day as we would have needed to walk back to deep Water Cove for collection and were not to keen on a possibly wet slippery return there. Turned out to be an excellent decision as the best Water Taxi Service ( BOI Water Taxis - Bob) came and got us and then we were lucky enough to be taken through Hole in the Rock as well as the Cathedral - very special and we were given great history about the area. We did meet some walkers that were simply walking for the day and being collected that afternoon so they had little packs which would have made it a pleasure - we will definitely do that next time Yes - we are planning on doing it again! We want to return to Oke Bay Lodge for a few days - that's where we stayed on the Friday night before the walk and what a treat - hence the plan to do the walk again and soak up some more of Oke Bay itself which is quite beautiful
8. Te Waiariki Ngawha Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Ngawha Spa (formerly Ginns Ngawha Spa) is closed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Reviewed By pleasedonotcontactme
We wouldn't have missed this for the world. Outdoor hot pools in the middle of winter after a day cycling half of the twin coast trail - super hot pools and others at a temperature to suit all tastes and needs to soothe aches and pains. Highly recommend.
9. Paroa Bay Winery- Villa Accommodation.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
There are few places in the world where you get the sense of land emerging from the ocean — where you can trace the contours of the land down below the waterline, where sky, land and sea are continuous — and New Zealand’s Paroa Bay Winery and Estate is one of these places. Featuring three superb villas, a boutique vineyard, and our coastal-inspired restaurant Sage — we ensure every aspect of luxury is plentifully provided for. The first of our luxury villas, Tarāpunga, is named after the local seabirds, and nests high above the bay. With floor to ceiling windows and an infinity pool on an expansive outdoor entertaining area, Tarāpunga truly brings the incredible scenery to the fore. Our second villa, Weka, is a smaller but beautifully designed residence, and available for reservation concurrently with Tarāpunga. Our third villa, Vineyard Cottage, sits amongst the vines of our famed winery and enjoys views of the beautiful rolling green hills of both vineyard and native bush.
Reviewed By brizay - Singapore, Singapore
Last month I had the great fortune to stay at The Tarapunga villa at Paroa Bay winery. This is a luxurious accommodation, gorgeously furnished with stunning views of the Bay of islands from every corner of the house . The infinity pool invites you to jump in and stare at the view. The villa has a home cinema, tennis courts, a gym, Badminton, bicycles, Golf buggies which we used to admire the beautiful surrounding nature and manicured landscape of the winery and also to access the private beach. There is also an annexed villa that can accommodate another family or grown up kids. The place is perfect in every way(it even has, Sage, next door, the best restaurant in the area ). It’s a perfect Accommodation for a perfect holiday I had the time of my life. I highly recommend it.
10. Akeake Historic Reserve Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
